Acute psychosis is the psychiatric term for psychosis which is triggered by extreme stress. The condition usually spontaneously resolves itself within two weeks, and the main goal of treatment is to prevent the patient from harming either themself or others.

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In a psychotic episode people can think and do things that require a period of psychological adjustment to once the crisis has passed. They may have been suicidal, done things that are socially embarassing, or harmful of intimate and family relationships that all require working through. People can be left worrying if they are going to do the same things again in 'normal life'? will they become psychotic again? how will they repair their confidence in themselves? how will they restore others confidence in them? A period of psychoeducation to help them fully understand the processes they will have been through in terms of mental illness, brain chemistry, effects of stress etc is useful along with additional counselling to facilitate adjustment as required.